Here’s a gentle sun-hardening schedule for your plnat won’t get scorched again:

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Week 1 – Shade recovery

• Keep it in bright, indirect light (under a patio cover, tree canopy, or shade cloth).
• Water only when the top inch of soil is dry.
• Remove all crispy leaves.
• Watch for signs of new growth before starting sun exposure.

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Week 2 – Start morning sun

• Give it 1 hour of direct morning sun (before 9 a.m.) each day, then return it to shade.
• Do this for 3–4 days.
• If leaves look healthy, increase to 2 hours of morning sun for the rest of the week.

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Week 3 – Extend sun time

• Move to a spot with 3–4 hours of morning sun (still shaded during harsh midday/afternoon).
• Keep an eye out for wilting or leaf scorch — if you see it, pause progression for a few days.

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Week 4 – Transition to permanent spot

• Increase to 5–6 hours of sun if that’s where it will live.
• If your patio gets full-day intense sun, add a light shade cloth for the hottest part of the day (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) until the plant is fully established.

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Extra Tips

• Wind + sun can dry it out even faster — a windbreak can help during hardening.
• Mulch around the base (keeping mulch an inch away from the stems) helps retain soil moisture.
• Once acclimated, Sweet Pea Shrubs are fairly sun-tolerant but still appreciate a little afternoon protection in extreme heat.

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